Excerpts from ABC7Chicago.com:
A man died and another was transported to a hospital after a house fire in West Chicago Wednesday night.
Three people were in a three-story house in the 100-block of West Grand Lake Boulevard in West Chicago when a fire broke out at about 10 p.m. Wednesday night. Fire officials believe the fire began in the front of the home and was made worse by the wind and open windows. The porch collapsed and the rest of the home was destroyed.
Firefighters were able to get a 92-year-old man from a second floor bedroom to safety. He was taken to a local hospital. His ex-daughter-in-law who lives with him got out on her own. The woman’s 53-year-old boyfriend died in an upstairs bedroom. Someone driving by the house saw it on fire and started banging on the doors, but by that time the flames had a head start.
The DuPage County Fire Investigation Task Force is listing the cause of the fire as undetermined because at this point they cannot rule out an electrical cause. They do not believe it is suspicious.
Photos from John Tulipano:
2-Alarm fire 2130 hours 4/17/19 at 141 west grand lake blvd in West Chicago
John Tulipano photo
John Tulipano photo
John Tulipano photo
John Tulipano photo
John Tulipano photo
John Tulipano photo
John Tulipano photo
John Tulipano photo
John Tulipano photo
John Tulipano photo
John Tulipano photo
#1 by Robert Bourgeois on April 22, 2019 - 5:41 AM
So sorry for your loss. I worked for Richard in the 60tys & 70tys. He treated me
with respect & kindness always. Fond memories. I`am so sad.
Robert Bourgeois.
#2 by Mike on April 20, 2019 - 11:47 AM
My condolences on your families loss Valerie
#3 by MABAS 21 on April 20, 2019 - 11:10 AM
Valerie,
Speaking for the fire service, as myself and the majority who comment here are firefighters and fire officers, we are truly sorry for the loss of your father. He sounded like a wonderful man who deserved the utmost respect for serving our country in the Korean Conflict.
Now not being there and only viewing the photos posted, I do not know all of the circumstances the initial firefighters faced upon the arrival. But I do know that the fire districts and departments that operated there are aggressive and performed heroically in extremely heavy fire conditions attempting to rescue your father while putting their own lives in danger. When there are reports of people trapped, we risk everything to save them. The photos show very heavy volumes of fire and thick choking smoke that can be a tremendous challenge for us gaining entry.
I wish the best of luck to you and your family.
#4 by Valerie Henning on April 19, 2019 - 10:55 PM
the 92 year old man you rescued was my father. I appreciate the fire dept.’s efforts but sadly we lost him today. Altho he was not severely burned the amount of smoke he inhaled was so severe and toxic they were unable to save him. My father always kept himself in fantastic shape at 92 he went and worked out at his health club nearly everyday, he had perfect blood pressure, no health problems what so ever except his knees bothered him. He was a Korean war veteran, hard working, honest, responsible, loving, wonderful man and the best father one could ever hope for. He literally, not just because he was my father, was the finest man I’ve ever known. I always thought he might outlive me and if not, he would go peacefully, years from now, surrounded by loving family including myself. This is such a tragedy, I only wish the fire dept. could have gotten to him sooner. His name was Richard Henning and he was everything to me. His loss is almost unbearable to me. He was the best. Valerie Henning